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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam
The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.
Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.
Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!
Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.
Click here to report a problem with this page.
Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:
- This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "atm payment department" (this phrase is often used in the ATM card payment scam)
- ",000,000" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "dr.barryslim@w.cn" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +2348079168674 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
Fraud email example:
From: "OFFICE OF THE SENATE HOUSE" <info@atm.org>
Reply-To: dr.barryslim@w.cn
Date: Sat, 17 Oct 2009 13:34:50 +0600 (BDT)
Subject: Identification Number is 8009XXX
OFFICE OF THE SENATE HOUSE
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN PAYMENT
(RESOLUTION PANEL ON CONTRACT PAYMENT)
IKOYI-LAGOS NIGERIA
OurRef: FGN /SNT/STB
This is to officially inform you that (ATM Cash Card Number
62805120033800XXXXX) has been accredited with your favor.Your
Cash Card Personal Identification Number is 8009XXX.The ATM Card
Value is $1,000,000,00 Million USD. you are to provide the below
information and email it to the Executive Secretary with the email
as stated below.
Dr. Barry Slim
Email: dr.barryslim@w.cn
Phone: +234-807-916-8674
Provide underlisted detail to the claim department Dr. Barry Slim
on the email contact address stated above for the immediate delivery
of your fund to your destination within the next 24hrs.Note that the
only fee you are to send to the FedEx Delivery Service is just $200usd
for the delivery.
Full Name:
Delivery Address:
Phone Number:
Country :
Occupation :
Sex:
Age:
On behalf of the Board kindly, accept our warmest congratulations
Kindest Regards.
(Sen. Lawrence Nwaeze)
Director Information Department,
ATM PAYMENT DEPARTMENT.
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Anti-fraud resources:
